Makeup Review: Clio Virgin Kiss Tension Lip Oil Tint

Price?

Like the other lip products by Clio, these new Tension Lip Oil Tints are reasonably priced. They’re currently on sale (perhaps due to the popularity of Gong Hyo Jin’s drama Jealousy Incarnate, or perhaps because it’s Korean Thanksgiving) for about 12,800 won or approximately $11 USD. I had a coupon since I’m a Clio Club Member, so I got an additional 20%, basically this was a steal. On the Clio US Website they’re selling for $13 USD on sale, so the pricing is pretty close.

Packaging?

No. 3 Black Currant

No. 6 Sugar Breeze

Applicator

The packaging is very sleek and classy, although it’s clearly plastic it’s thick and pretty durable (I have dropped it a few times, due to my clumsy tendencies). I like how the color shows at the bottom, it’s accurate in person. The applicator is a basic liquid lipstick type applicator, but the point fits the shape of my lips pretty well (I have no trouble with the cupid’s bow). It’s a screw top, and it locks nicely in place so you know it’s shut properly.

Really no complaints, other than the fact that it’s quite bulky when putting it in my makeup bag. My Aritaum Color Lasting Lip Tint contains 6 ml compared to Clio’s 5 ml, so there’s no real reason for the size difference.

Clio Virgin Kiss Tension Lip Oil Tint
(No. 1 Red Bomb, No. 3 Black Currant, No. 6 Sugar Breeze)
Price: 16,000 each at retail ($14 USD) 

So starting off, Clio’s description has a lot of high praise for this product, so I’ll briefly talk about those claims. I didn’t even read this description before I bought this product because…well Gong Hyo Jin is Clio’s brand model (my favorite actress) and I love Jealousy Incarnate. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

Honestly, I went into Clio the other day to buy my friend a lipstick, and although these were on sale and the sales girl tried to persuade me into buying one, it didn’t immediately catch my attention. I came back another day after I saw Gong Hyo Jin wearing it. Seriously, I’m guilty of being a trend follower just like every other Korean. Anyway…you’re probably more interested in how the product actually stands up.

So basically, this ad keeps emphasizing that the oil tint is moisturizing, super-pigmented, yet it’s transparent (Koreans love their super-pigmented transparent lip colors, what?). It’s basically perfect for layering, in order to achieve a gradient lip.

This product is long-lasting and it contains 7 types of oils (rose hip oil, camellia oil, damask rose oil, safflower oil, barley oil, and sea buckthorn oil). Call me a newbie with oils, but I had never heard of two of these oils, feel free to look them up as well. They talk a lot about moisture (촉촉, 끝장 보습) and also “Milkchak” (밀착) basically how well the product adheres to the skin. And most of all…it claims there is no need to re-apply.

It also says there’s a “synergy effect” I had to look this up as well. Oh Konglish. Basically, with the perfect mixture of oil and tint, you get a result greater than its parts. Sounds super philosophical, no? Are we still talking about makeup here?

Although these are high claims, let’s take a look at the actual product.

No. 1 Red Bomb

Lightly Applied

This first color is a vibrant red. I bought it after seeing Gong Hyo Jin with a gorgeous bright red lip when she was forecasting the weather on Jealously Incarnate. See below~

Here, she applies the color fully. I thought it was a lipstick when I first saw it because it looks very matte on screen. However, you can get this effect by the layering the lip tint and dabbing at it with a tissue. As it’s an oil tint, it’s extremely wet and shiny.

No. 3 Black Currant

Lightly Applied

Next up we have Black Currant. It’s a wine red color, but leaning a bit pink on me. I love fall colors so I was really excited about this one, but I was hoping for something a bit deeper. Although I didn’t layer the color very much here, I wore it out the other day with a burgundy blouse, and this color was definitely pinker in comparison.

No. 6 Sugar Breeze

Lightly Applied

Lastly, is No. 6 Sugar Breeze. Honestly, I was hoping for more of a nude pink. In the photos online it definitely seemed a bit more mauve. However, in person it’s definitely leaning on the Barbie Pink side (you’ve been forewarned).

Overall, I’m pretty impressed by the formulation. From the oil tints I’ve tried, this is by far the most pigmented tint I’ve tried. For me, the YSL lip oils are quite sheer (with a touch of color), and this Nature Republic One I tried…well you can’t tell the different between the pink and the orange one. With a touch of a tissue Clio’s Oil Tint is the perfect liquid lipstick. Without the tissue, I have juicy long-lasting lips for quite a long time. This formula also stains my lips, after all this testing, I washed the colors off and woke up with still quite pigmented lips. As far as being long-lasting, I’ve worn No.3 to my night class and came home (3.5 hours later looking flawless). I wore No. 6 to work (survived through lunch, and it was an 8 hour day). Lastly, I wore No. 1 to a dinner for a friend. We had food and drinks and I didn’t even need to reapply.

When applying, I can’t fully describe the texture. It’s slightly oily, but not sticky whatsoever. It glides on like a dream, and I LOVE how it doesn’t emphasize my dry patches. It literally slicks on over them and stays in place. This is also great for a gradient lip. Honestly, I love how layerable the colors are (and a little does go a long way with this tint).

No. 1 Red Bomb Gradient Lip

The verdict? Buy it NOW (it’s on sale). With 12 very wearable colors to choose from and at such a great price, I’ve been reaching for these every day.

Let me know what you think in the comments below! I have quite a few more Clio lip products I’m testing out, so let me know if you’d like me to review them! (*hint hint* Virgin Kiss Tinted Lip).